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Hay Show Results
ELDON COLE
MT. VERNON, MO.
In previous items we discussed Missouri’s rank in beef cattle. Missouri also ranks fairly well in total hay production. This makes sense with all those cattle.
Unfortunately, our high hay production isn’t of the high quality stuff much of the time. However, we have a lot of farmers who do harvest high quality hay and haylage.
One of the best ways to bring attention to quality hay is through the Ozark Empire Hay Show. This year we had around 40 entries and some of them were outstanding. The judging process for hay and haylage is pretty much a numbers game using fiber levels and total digestible nutrient (TDN) which calculates into a Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) number. There’s not sniffing of the hay, no cow tasting or any other subjective evaluation, it’s just the laboratory analysis.
This year’s haylage champion was from Groves View Dairy, Billings. It had a very high RFQ of 276. The TDN was 75.6 percent and crude protein was 19.7 percent. It was alfalfa and harvested on April 19.
The dry hay champion was entered by Glenn and Toni Obermann, Monett. This was their 6th champion hay in 11 years. Their hay, also alfalfa, was a 4th cutting with an RFQ of 221, TDN 68.2 percent and protein was 23.2 percent. The variety was a low lignin variety.
By the way, Obermann’s used to dairy but strictly raises and sell high quality legume and grass legume hay. Interesting point is that over the years our champions usually come from the current dairy or former dairy farmers. Glenn’s hay goes to dairy goats, alpacas and horses.
Alfalfa is disappearing from the scene but there’s certainly a place for it in this area. It’s the best companion forage I can think of for fescue, especially the Kentucky 31 variety with toxicity problems. The alfalfa doesn’t have to be Supreme or even Premium to be a good supplement in the beef cattle diet, a Good quality grade alfalfa is satisfactory.
If any of you need to purchase hay this year, consider alfalfa with a hay test on it. Look at the RFQ or RFV numbers. You should use it as a supplement to your lower quality grass hay if you have beef cattle.
CREEP FEEDING
I’ve had several calls related to creep feeding calves before weaning time. As with so many good questions the first reply is, “it depends”. If your pastures are dry and short, creep feeding could be a paying proposition. If you have a set of young cows especially thin ones, creep feeding or just wean early is often a good option.
You may never have thought about high quality hay as a creep, but it can work especially if it has alfalfa or another legume in it. Hay that runs at least 12 percent protein and 58 to 60 percent total digestible nutrient (TDN) can be helpful as a creep item. ∆
ELDON COLE: Extension Livestock Specialist, University of Missouri
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